Alabama Senators will continue budget talks today after a late-night meeting yesterday failed to end in agreement.
A conference committee will meet again this morning to keep discussing a proposal to shift education funds to the cash-strapped general fund budget.
The committee met for over an hour last night but couldn’t reach an agreement. Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh described the talks as productive, but fragile.
Senators want to shift $100 million from education funds. House members voted to move half of that.
The Alabama Senate may also vote today on a 25-cent-per-pack cigarette tax. That tax increase passed the House last week.
Lawmakers are trying to break a deadlock on how to handle a $200 million budget shortfall. A budget has to be in place by Oct. 1, when the next fiscal year begins, or state agencies will be without money to operate.
If you’ve ever wanted to get into the doughnut business, your chance is here! Dunkin’ Donuts is expanding their franchise in Central Alabama.
A seminar at the Birmingham Business Alliance will be held for information on how to become a franchise owner.
Patrick Cunningham is the senior director of franchising for Dunkin’ Donuts. He tells us what they are looking for in a franchisee.
“You know, being a franchise owner, for many, it’s a dream. We look for franchisees that have operational experience, development experience, or real estate experience, and they have the capability of growing with a brand that has 95% awareness. There aren’t many consumers out there that don’t know about the Dunkin’ Donuts brand.”
The seminar will be held this evening from 6 to 7 PM. To RSVP, email franchisingevents@dunkindonuts.com
Second ranked Alabama is prepping for their SEC Opener Saturday against 15th ranked Ole Miss. The Crimson Tide is out to avenge its only conference loss of the season a year ago when the Rebels pulled off the 23-17 upset.
Head coach Nick Saban says this game will provide the biggest challenge to his team so far this season.
“Playing a team like we’re playing this week, it’s going to be necessary for us to play better in this game, execute better, be more consistent, have better fundamental execution and I think the best way to do that is to focus on preparation each day this week.”
Ole Miss leads the country in scoring at 74.5 points per game. Kickoff for Saturday’s game is set for 8:15 PM on ESPN. The network’s College GameDay will be in Tuscaloosa this weekend.
A week of events at the University of Alabama-Birmingham will focus on the potential dangers of texting while walking and other distractions to pedestrians.
UAB officials say Pocket and Walk It Week continues through Friday. The event includes a simulator giving visitors a chance to test their skills in a virtual-reality street-crossing scenario.
Officials say the week will also help university researchers conduct a study funded by the National Institutes of Health focused on distracted pedestrian habits on campus.
Organizers say simulators will be in Heritage Hall and Campbell Hall from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.